Riley County Commission Summary
Week of May 19, 2026
Commission approves six-month moratorium on data centers
Future land use map amended for East Manhattan Gateway
County to develop policy for Edge District STAR bonds
WIC program faces significant federal funding cuts
Fort Riley WIC clinic agreement renewed
County fire crews return from Ashland wildfires
Commission approves six-month moratorium on data centers
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on the development of data centers and battery energy storage systems during Tuesday's meeting. County counselor Jacob Hansen said the temporary halt, which goes into effect upon publication in the county newspaper, will provide staff time to draft and implement standardized zoning regulations for these specific types of facilities. The moratorium is set to expire Nov. 12, 2026, though the commission has the authority to modify or lift the restriction earlier if regulations are completed ahead of schedule.
Future land use map amended for East Manhattan Gateway
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution amending the Manhattan Urban Area Comprehensive Plan and future land use map for the Green Valley and Blue Township areas. City of Manhattan senior planner Ben Chmiel said the updates, driven by the East Manhattan Gateway vision process, will expand future industrial zoning along the U.S. Route 24 corridor and transition parts of the McCall Triangle toward community and retail commercial uses. The amendment guides long-term policy and infrastructure decisions, though Chmiel noted it does not automatically rezone properties or initiate city annexations.
County to develop policy for Edge District STAR bonds
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County will soon review proposed Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts for Manhattan's Edge District development. County counselor Jacob Hansen informed the board that the city will hold a public hearing on the districts June 16 at City Hall, which will trigger a 30-day window for the county and Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 to determine if the financing models will cause an adverse impact on their property tax revenues. Hansen plans to draft a standardized policy to guide the review of these and future TIF and STAR bond applications.
WIC program faces significant federal funding cuts
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Women, Infants and Children program is facing a substantial reduction in federal funding, which may require the county to subsidize the program with local tax dollars in the future. Budget and finance officer Brittany Phillips reported that while the county requested $1.34 million for federal fiscal year 2026, the allocation was unexpectedly cut to $997,877. A final vote on the 2026 grant application was delayed to allow Phillips to update benefit calculations and finalize the paperwork before the May 31 submission deadline.
Fort Riley WIC clinic agreement renewed
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Acting as the Board of County Health, commissioners unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Riley to continue operating a Women, Infants and Children clinic on the military installation. The agreement stipulates that Riley County reserves the right to terminate the program if Kansas Department of Health and Environment funding becomes stagnant, is reduced or is eliminated. The contract will be reviewed annually by garrison commander Col. Gerald Nunziato Jr. and the county to ensure the facility adequately serves military families.
County fire crews return from Ashland wildfires
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County fire crews returned home early Sunday morning after assisting state officials with a large wildfire near Ashland. Emergency management director Russel Stukey reported that local crews fought the blaze through the night Friday and Saturday, eventually helping the Office of the State Fire Marshal organize an emergency operations center. Stukey noted that local crews might be deployed again later in the week if the fires persist, and a roster of the responding firefighters was requested to formally acknowledge their service.
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